The Battle for WondLa by Diterlizzi Tony

Author:Diterlizzi, Tony [Diterlizzi, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781416983149
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-05-06T07:00:00+00:00

The hovering shuttle came to a stop just outside the city’s outer gates. Through the bulbous canopy Eva could see Hailey waving. With a hiss the side door opened and unfolded to the ground, becoming an entry ramp. Eva and Gen scrambled from their hiding place into the cramped cabin. Hunched over in the backseat was a familiar smiling face.

“Huxley! You’re alive!” Eva jumped into his lap and hugged the gawky alien.

“Eva Nine, my little bayrie.” Huxley patted her head. “You thought I was dead? I told you ol’ Huxie’s gotten out of worse scrapes.”

“Let’s get going,” said Hailey. “The skies are clear of warships for now, but I don’t know for how long.”

Cautiously, Gen took the seat across from Huxley and scooted as far away as possible.

“Your arm?” Eva saw a bound stump where one of Huxley’s arms should have been.

“Lost that and a leg in the explosion,” Huxley grimaced. “They both will take forever to grow back.”

“Grow back? Will they really?” Eva peered at his wounds.

“I’m a Mirthian, aren’t I?” Huxley responded in his usual cheery tone.

“Strap in,” Hailey announced from the cockpit. “This little thing has some kick.” He pushed the throttle forward, and the shuttle shot off. With ease he navigated the speeding craft down into the depths of the canyon ravines. “I’m gonna take a longer route just to make sure we aren’t spotted. I don’t want to reveal the location of our camp.”

“Smart move, hero,” Huxley said. “So who’s this little one?” He looked over at Gen. “A friend of yours?”

“Yes,” Eva said with some hesitancy. “Huxley, this is Gen. Gen, this is Huxley. Hux and I met in . . . Attican Hall,” she said to Gen.

“You mean we met in the lockup of Attican Hall,” Huxley added with a bitter laugh. “What a pair of pretty bayries you two make! One of you is dressed mysteriously, as dark as the night. And the other . . .” He looked at Eva’s hair. “You’re now as white as a star, Eva Nine. You’ve changed color like an arboreal loriped. Is that normal for your kind?”

“No.” Eva glanced at Gen and tucked her hair back behind her ears. “Not usually.”

“Well, it suits you,” Huxley replied with a smile. He addressed Gen, “Sorry to hear about your grand city. At least you made it out in one piece—not like me.”

Gen stared blankly at Huxley.

“Oh, she doesn’t understand you, Huxley. She doesn’t have a vocal transcoder,” Eva said.

“I think Vanpa has a few back at camp,” said Hailey.

Eva translated Huxley’s words. Gen crossed her arms and retracted farther in her seat. Her body seemed to become smaller, yet her eyes became wider.

Huxley looked at Eva. “This one’s not a talker, eh? Not like you and I?”

“She’s had a rough day. She lost her father,” Eva whispered back. She decided it best to keep Gen’s family a secret for the time being. “She’s never been outside the city, nor seen anyone from another planet.”

“Wow. That is a lot for one little bayrie to handle.

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